Durable Goods Orders For April 2008

New Orders
New orders for manufactured durable goods in April decreased $1.0 billion or 0.5 percent to $214.4 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today. This was the third decrease in four months and followed a 0.3 percent March decrease. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 2.5 percent. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 0.3 percent.

Shipments
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in April, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $2.5 billion or 1.2 percent to $212.2 billion. This followed a 0.9 percent March decrease.

Unfilled Orders
Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in April, up twenty-six of the last twenty-seven months, increased $7.6 billion or 1.0 percent to $804.5 billion. This was at the highest level since the series was first stated on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 1.3 percent March increase.

Inventories
Inventories of manufactured durable goods in April, up nine of the last ten months, increased $1.7 billion or 0.5 percent to $328.6 billion. This was also at the highest level since the series was first stated on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 1.0 percent March increase.

Capital Goods Industries
Nondefense
Nondefense new orders for capital goods in April decreased $1.0 billion or 1.4 percent to $74.4 billion.

Defense
Defense new orders for capital goods in April increased $0.4 billion or 4.8 percent to $8.8 billion.
Released May 28, 2008. This report presents advance information on two key business indicators: durable goods manufacturers' shipments and orders. Revised and more detailed estimates plus nondurable goods will be published June 3, 2008. The advance report on durable goods for May is scheduled for release June 25, 2008.